Speakers
Yi Lu, Senior Program Manager, Vital Strategies
Gabriel Sanchez Ibarra, VP for Programs, Pure Earth
Juliette Finetti, Director of Research and Strategy, LEEP
Nida Parks, Agency Lead Coordinator, Global Health Bureau, USAID
Casey Bartrem PhD, Senior Technical Advisor, Lead Working Group, USAID
Moderator
Lee Crawfurd, Senior Research Fellow, CGD
Modeled estimates suggest lead poisoning may affect a third of the world’s children. As a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, lead is associated with between 1.6 and 5.5 million deaths annually, and CGD’s analysis shows that lead may be responsible for a fifth of the gap in learning levels between rich and poor countries. In recent years, key development actors and international organizations have finally recognized the importance of this issue, and begun mobilizing to act against lead poisoning internationally. The Partnership for a Lead-Free Future, a public-private partnership featuring the key health and development institutions, has raised $150 million with the goal of eliminating childhood lead poisoning by 2040, with plans to raise further funds.
To make sure that these efforts are as well-targeted as possible and thereby maximize their impact, CGD is working to improve the evidence base on this issue. We plan to distribute a total of US$1 million to researchers to generate relevant, timely, and high-impact evidence on this topic. We have launched a “Request for Proposals” for research focused on understanding and mitigating the burden of lead poisoning.
To facilitate this process, we are organizing a 'matchmaking' event to connect researchers with organizations involved in implementing programs to mitigate lead exposure. This is aimed at catalyzing successful partnerships for researchers to evaluate existing mitigation work, and guide future investment in this space.
Please join us for an online seminar where implementers will present on their active and planned mitigation work, with the opportunity for prospective researchers to ask related questions and form connections.
CGD Lead Poisoning Funding Frequently Asked Questions
General Eligibility and Scope
Who can apply?
Researchers from around the world, including PhD students, independent researchers, post-docs, and teams affiliated with academic institutions, think tanks, and NGOs, are eligible to apply.
Are researchers from high-income countries eligible?
Yes, researchers from high-income countries are eligible to apply, as long as the research has relevance to low- and middle-income settings. This applies especially to source and solution research, which should ideally take place in or address issues in those settings. Laboratory or high-income-based studies may be considered if they address lead-related challenges that also impact the Global South.
Can PhD students apply? Can they apply as individuals?
Yes, PhD students can apply for smaller grants (up to USD 25k for desk-based or 50k for fieldwork projects) as individuals. It may be beneficial for students to involve a supervisor as a principal investigator (PI), especially for larger grants, as experience will be a consideration in the review process.
Can there be more than one Principal Investigator (PI)?
Yes, there can be multiple PIs on a project. There are no restrictions on the number of PIs for any level of funding, so teams are welcome to structure their leadership as needed for the project.
Funding Details
What is the total amount of funding available? Will there be other rounds of funding in the future?
We have a total of USD 1 million available for this grant window. Whether the entire amount is dispersed in this round or reserved for a future round will depend on the quality and diversity of proposals received. Our expectation is to allocate the full amount this round; however, if some funding remains, we may open a second round of grants.
Is there a cap on the number or types of projects (desk research, field research, RCTs) that may be funded?
There is no specific cap on the number or types of projects we will fund. We are flexible with funding allocation and aim to support a balanced range of project types, including desk research, field research, and RCTs. While there’s no set limit for each category, we expect to fund a mix of both desk and field-based projects.
Are there funding restrictions for research costs or researcher time?
Yes, funding can be used for fieldwork costs, researcher time, and potentially intervention costs, while course buy-outs are generally not covered. There is a 15% cap on overhead costs.
Can small grants fund team projects?
Yes, team projects are eligible for any level of funding, including small grants (up to USD 25k for desk-based research and 50k for fieldwork projects). There is no restriction on team size, so applicants are welcome to involve multiple collaborators at any funding level.
Project Scope
Will CGD fund research outside traditional economics or causal inference methods?
Yes, CGD is open to a wide range of research approaches, including but not limited to laboratory studies and market analyses. Anything that contributes to the mission of mitigating lead exposure globally will be considered.
Is there a preferred balance between desk and field research?
No, there is no strict preference or breakdown between desk research and field research/RCTs. CGD is open to funding a variety of project types and is interested in the insights that each type of research can bring. We are committed to learning from a range of research approaches.
Will projects combining multiple research categories be funded?
Yes, projects that address multiple categories - such as sources, impacts, and interventions - are welcome.
How long will the activity period be covered by CGD?
The funding period for activities covered under CGD grants is expected to be up to two years. Budgets should account for this timeframe, including provisions for participation in annual conferences and reporting requirements during this period.
Application Process and Requirements
How long is the Expression of Interest (EOI) expected to take to complete and submit?
The EOI is submitted through a web form with specific word limits for each question. It is designed to take approximately three hours to write and submit.
Will CGD provide updates on the level of competition at later stages, and how many applicants will proceed to the next round?
CGD aims to be as transparent as possible. After the EOI stage, only applicants with a strong chance of receiving funding will be invited to proceed. We expect to advance a select number of applicants who are likely to be funded, as we aim to avoid advancing applications only to reject them in later stages. If there is a large volume of high-quality applications, we may also coordinate with other funders to maximize funding opportunities for strong proposals.
Can applicants submit multiple proposals, or should they combine different ideas into a single proposal?
Yes, applicants can submit multiple proposals if they represent distinct projects or research ideas. However, if the proposals are variations of the same project (for example, versions with different budget levels or scopes), we encourage submitting them as a single proposal with clearly defined options. We also ask applicants to focus on well-developed ideas rather than submitting numerous partially formed concepts.
Is there a sample EOI document we can refer to?
We don’t have a sample completed form available.
Is there a contact person or focal point to ask questions before submitting the proposal?
Yes, applicants can contact either Rory Todd or Theo Mitchell at CGD for any questions regarding the submission process or project eligibility. To schedule a 30-minute call or submit queries, email [email protected] or [email protected].
Is there any harm in applying to multiple funding sources for the same project?
No, there is no issue with applying to other funding sources for the same project. If a project receives partial funding from CGD and additional support from another source, applicants should note this in their full proposal and explain how CGD’s funding would complement other resources. Transparency about other funding sources is encouraged.
